Juneau Commission on Sustainability
The Duties of JCOS
To coordinate, propose, and promote sustainability initiatives among residents, businesses, government, and non-governmental agencies and educational organizations through education and outreach programs.
To make recommendations to the Juneau Assembly and CBJ Boards and Commissions on policies and programs that promote sustainability.
To research and apply for grants or other funds or gifts from public or private agencies for the purpose of carrying out any of the provisions or purposes of this resolution.
To serve as an advisory group to the CBJ in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to target levels as adopted by the CBJ Assembly.
To act as liaison between the public and the CBJ Assembly on sustainability related issues.
Current Agendas & Minutes
Click the button below to access the new Municode system
for the current minutes and agendas.
Previous Meeting
History, Mission and Members
The Assembly created the Juneau Commission on Sustainability (JCOS) in 2007, with the current governing directives found in Resolution 2755. The mission of the JCOS is to promote the economic, social, environmental, and governmental well-being of Juneau and all its inhabitants, now and in the future.
The 9-member commission consists of nine public members, appointed by the Assembly, plus one member of the Assembly, and one Planning Commissioner.
The current Commissioners are:
Nick Waldo, Chair
Marian Call, Co-Chair
Duff Mitchell
James Powell
David Teal
Jessie Barker
Laura Achee
Griffin Plush
Brennen McCulloch
Nina Keller, Planning Commission Liaison
Alicia Hughes-Skandijs, Assembly Liaison
The CBJ Staff Liaison is Dianna Robinson, Environmental Project Specialist in the Engineering & Public Works Department. Direct all inquiries about JCOS to her at 907.586.0800 ext. 4197 or [email protected].
Energy Use in Juneau
Juneau energy use interactive dashboard can be accessed here. It will give you address-specific information on the energy and GHG emissions footprint of buildings in Juneau.
The majority of Juneau’s energy comes from fossil fuels; however, almost all of Juneau’s electricity is produced by hydropower, a renewable resource.
Juneau has recognized that continued dependence upon fossil fuels is not desirable. As a result, the CBJ has developed a Climate Action Plan and the Juneau Renewable Energy Strategy (JRES). The Assembly supported these actions through Resolution 2593 and Resolution 2808.
The Juneau Renewable Energy Strategy
In February 2018, the CBJ Assembly adopted the JRES through Resolution 2808. The JRES recommends four primary strategies to achieve the 80% renewable energy goal. These include:
- CBJ Energy Management: Implement a CBJ energy management program to make the organization a leader in energy efficiency and adoption of renewable energy.
- Heating: Reduce Juneau’s dependence on fossil fuels for space heating.
- Transportation and Electric Vehicles: Reduce Juneau’s dependence on fossil fuels for transportation.
- Renewable Energy Supply: Support efforts to provide new renewable energy supplies for Juneau.
CBJ Energy Management
The CBJ spends about $8 million per year on energy. Adopting a formal energy management program, including tracking energy use and costs, implementing energy efficiency best practices, and implementing the recommendation of energy audits could result in substantial savings. Consolidating the CBJ vehicle fleet and converting to electric vehicles is another area of potential energy and cost savings. The CBJ could also provide examples and information to the public on opportunities for energy savings. These provide the mechanics for CBJ to lead by example.
Transportation and Electric Vehicles
Transportation is the largest (43%) use of fossil fuels in Juneau. Electrification of transportation provides a major opportunity to transform transportation to renewable energy, and Juneau already has one of the most rapid rates of electric vehicle adoption in the country. Other significant opportunities to reduce fossil fuel use include supporting energy efficient, compact, mixed use development, improving and electrifying the CBJ transit system, and supporting non-motorized transportation.
Electric Vehicle Resources
In 2014, several Juneau businesses began installing electric vehicle chargers. In 2015, the City and Borough of Juneau’s Assembly passed Resolution 2722 to express support for the advancement of electrified transportation vehicles. Since then, electric vehicle ownership has increased from less than 5 (in 2013) to over 300 (as of 2018).
To learn more about electric vehicle (EV) ownership in Juneau, including locations of charging stations, local EV incentive programs, and best practices for buying and maintaining your EV, check out the Juneau Electric Vehicle Association, the Renewable Juneau’s Electric Vehicle Information page, Plugshare and the work of the Juneau Economic Development Council’s Renewable Energy Cluster Group.
The Juneau Commission on Sustainability has helped educate and involve the community in the on-going discussion about expanding EV use in Juneau. You can view the video and presentation from the 2018 EV Sustainability Session here. If you would like to learn more about potential actions by the CBJ to advance plans for EV charging stations on CBJ property, see JCOS’s CBJ Electric Vehicle Parking and Charging Scenarios Factsheet.
Click here to learn more about CBJ’s EV’s, EV charging infrastructure, and electric buses.
Non-Motorized Transportation Resources
Juneau has 88 miles of bike lanes and 19 miles of shared-use paths. The city’s adoption of the 2009 Non-Motorized Transportation Plan helped the Alaska Department of Transportation improve bicycle facilities and create a Safe Routes To School plan for all Juneau elementary and middle schools. In 2011, the League of American Bicyclists designated Juneau a Bicycle Friendly Community.
- Basin Road/8th Street Parking Lot
- Marine Parking Garage
- Douglas Public Library
- Treadwell Arena
- Downtown Parking Garage
- Harris Harbor Parking Lot
- Twin Lakes Parking Lot
- Valley Transit Center
- Eagle Valley Center
- Mendenhall Valley Public Library
- Eaglecrest Ski Area
To learn more about activities promoting Juneau as a bike commuter friendly city, including maps, check out Juneau Rides.
Heating
Space heating accounts for about 21% of energy use in Juneau. Significant shifts to electric heat have occurred over the years, particularly when fuel oil costs were high relative to electric rates, so today almost 25% of Juneau homes are heated by electricity. In 2012, JCOS created a Juneau Space Heating Fuel Comparison Calculator to help individuals compare options for their home.
Heat Pump Resources
Heat pumps are increasing in popularity in residential, commercial, and public buildings in Juneau due to their ability to decrease energy costs. The City and Borough and Juneau have installed several ground-source heat pumps, and local air source heat pump installation and service companies for residential and commercial buildings have expanded significantly.
- JCOS Heat Pump Information Sheet
- Renewable Juneau’s Heat Pump Page
- The Cold Climate Housing Research Center’s Heat Pump Calculator
Wood Energy and Wood Pellet Stove Resources
Wood is estimated to provide approximately 3% of Juneau’s energy. The use of wood primarily provides space heating although more sophisticated systems are available that can also provide hot water.
- Alaska Wood Energy Development Task Group – Includes wood energy handbooks, energy calculators, and other resources
- Wood Energy for Residential Heating in Alaska: Current Conditions, Attitudes, and Expected Use – A study by the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station
District Heating
Beginning in 2013, JEDC’s Renewable Energy Cluster Group began looking at opportunities to bring district heating to Juneau and other communities. In 2016, plans to develop a district heating facility were announced by Juneau District Heating.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Energy efficiency initiatives in Juneau exist for public buildings, private businesses, and residential buildings. For more information on energy efficiency in Alaska, check out these resources:
- Alaska Electric Light and Power Company: Provides information about energy and conservation.
- Renewable Energy Alaska Project: Provides information about energy efficiency, renewable energy projects and programs in Alaska, and identifies opportunities for action.
- Alaska Energy Authority: Renewable energy resource maps, reports, programs, planning, and financing information. Oversees the Alaska Renewable Energy Grant Fund.
- Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP): The University of Alaska Research Center for applied research to lower energy costs and develop economic opportunities throughout Alaska.
- Alaska Energy Efficiency Partnership: Provides useful information for homeowners, building owners, professionals, and students on ways to be more energy efficient.
- Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC): Research and development of cold-climate building techniques and technologies, including energy efficiency and micro-generation renewable energy technology.
Renewable Heating Suppliers
- Alaska Hearth Products: 8600 Airport Boulevard, Juneau, Alaska 99801; (907) 789-1332; fax: (907) 789-5132
- Alaska Plumbing and Heating: (907) 209-6648
- All American Plumbing and Heating: (907) 789-1800
- Cameron Plumbing and Heating: 1850 Crest Street Juneau, Alaska 99801; (907) 789-2896
- Harri Plumbing & Heating Incorporated (Geothermal heat pumps): 809 W. 12th St. Juneau, AK 99801;(907) 586-3190
- Icehouse Refrigeration: (907) 523-2700
- Pacific Rim Mechanical (Pellet boilers): Haines, Alaska; 907-382-2068
- The Plumbing and Heating Company: (907) 789-3332
- Schmolk Mechanical Contractors: (907) 225-6648
If your business offers renewable heating options and you would like to be listed, please contact CBJ staff liaison Dianna Robinson at [email protected].
For more information on Energy in Southeast Alaska, check out these additional resources:
- The Renewable Energy Cluster Working Group: A Southeast initiative sponsored by the Juneau Economic Development Council, with specific renewable energy action initiatives, education, and outreach.
- Renewable Juneau: A non-profit organization providing information, education and advocacy to support local climate solutions– renewable energy, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and building efficiency – in Alaska’s capital city.
- Draft Southeast Integrated Resource Plan: The Alaska Energy Authority’s draft regional plan creates a pathway for strategic, community‐ focused, and data driven decisions that stretch public dollars and protect investments in energy infrastructure.
- Southeast Alaska Energy Demand